Phil Mickelson 'excited' by the prospect of the Open returning to Royal Portrush

"That day we spent here with Martin Ebert was when we finally thought: 'This is how we can do this'.

"It's been a long time since 1951 and the game has moved on and like all of the other Open venues, we've had to look at the course to ensure that it provides the sort of test than an Open Championship should provide.

"The course can certainly do that with some alterations - not just from a playing point of view but also in terms of the infrastructure surrounding an Open Championship.

"The 18th green here is difficult from a grandstands point of view. All of those things are in the mix."

The expectation is that the course changes suggested by Ebert will see territory from the adjacent Valley links replacing the current 17th and 18th holes.

Dawson acknowledged the success of Northern Ireland's golfers Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and
Darren Clarke
in winning a combined four majors over the past four years had helped the Portrush cause.

"Their performances on the golf course and the staging of the Irish Open was something of an eye opener in terms of the strength of the fan base for golf in Northern Ireland and Ireland.

"That was certainly part of it as well as the wonderful golf course and the great welcome and support we have been receiving from the Northern Ireland Executive and the indeed the club as well."

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